Page 246 - nostromo-a-tale-of-the-seaboard

ceptibilities, and at the present moment I don’t feel as if I
could treat seriously either his conception of things or—if
you allow me to say so—or yet yours.’
Mrs. Gould gave no sign of being offended. ‘I suppose
Antonia understands you thoroughly?’
‘Understands? Well, yes. But I am not sure that she ap-
proves. That, however, makes no difference. I am honest
enough to tell you that, Mrs. Gould.’
‘Your idea, of course, is separation,’ she said.
‘Separation, of course,’ declared Martin. ‘Yes; separation
of the whole Occidental Province from the rest of the un-
quiet body. But my true idea, the only one I care for, is not
to be separated from Antonia.’
‘And that is all?’ asked Mrs. Gould, without severity.
‘Absolutely. I am not deceiving myself about my motives.
She won’t leave Sulaco for my sake, therefore Sulaco must
leave the rest of the Republic to its fate. Nothing could be
clearer than that. I like a clearly defined situation. I can-
not part with Antonia, therefore the one and indivisible
Republic of Costaguana must be made to part with its west-
ern province. Fortunately it happens to be also a sound
policy. The richest, the most fertile part of this land may
be saved from anarchy. Personally, I care little, very little;
but it’s a fact that the establishment of Montero in power
would mean death to me. In all the proclamations of gener-
al pardon which I have seen, my name, with a few others, is
specially excepted. The brothers hate me, as you know very
well, Mrs. Gould; and behold, here is the rumour of them
having won a battle. You say that supposing it is true, I have